Chapter 5: Another Project!

As dinner finishes, Adrien leaves without saying a word. I know that I shouldn't really worry about it but I can't help it. I want to tell him he can come to but I know that will only make Gabriel upset.

I walk into the office, closing the door behind me. I see Gabriel Agreste standing next to a tall pillar. A IPad sitting on the top of it.

"You asked for me, Sir," I say softly.

"Ah, Marinette," He looks up at me. "I did."

"How can I be of some help?" I ask, afraid of being incorrect.

"I know that you are currently in the middle of a few projects but I want to test your ability to design under pressure. So if you can, please create a dress and a suit for you and Adrien to wear at the next fashion show. That will be the day after your schools prom. Which I am allowing you to go to because it will shorten the time you can work on your new assignment."

"Of course, Sir," I say. Gabriel waves me off. I can see that he is trying to see if I can prioritize everything that I do. If I am behind will I skip the prom or will I decide to go and fail my assignment. I will be cutting this pretty close. I have a total of 12 outfits to make in a little less than two weeks.

I rush up stairs, passing Adrien as well, and hurry into the room. I leave the door open knowing Adrien might want to see what his father wanted of me and because I am hoping he comes in so I can get his measurements. As I hoped and thought, Adrien is not far behind.

"Marinette, you looked a little panicked," He points out right away.

"Yeah, I guess that I might be," My voice a bit higher than usual. I have only done a max of ten projects in the allotted time frame I have been given I figure I can maybe push it a little bit but not for two more. It looks like my free time and a meal have been cancelled. "Can I get your measurements?"

"I thought that you were going to get all of them this weekend," He points out but still nods in a yes.

"My plans have changed. I will have to get all the measurements in two days, have finally fittings two days ahead of schedule so that another fitting for you and me can be placed the day I originally had planned," I can hear my voice speeding up and I feel like I am falling.

"Did my father give you another project?"

"Yeah, but it is no big deal. I am sure I can handle it. There is just going to have to be major changes to my schedule," I start taking his measurements. I write them down as soon as I see the measurement. Time is of the essence.

"What do you mean schedule changes? You are already panicking," Concern litters his voice.

"Oh this is nothing, I have had worse. Try coming up with a whole new glasses prototype in a hour," I say a little slower. Now that I am starting to see how my schedule is going to be, I am starting to calm a bit.

"So my guess is you'll either skip breakfast or lunch," He says like it is nothing new.

"I'm sorry Adrien, I just don't have time for that for a little bit. I even have to cut into my sleeping schedule. I will not make the deadline if I don't," I finish up the measurements.

"I understand. I am going to leave you to it then. Hate to be a bother," I can feel the hurt radiating from him.

"You can stay, I will just be working on my designs," I say and I feel the happiness radiate off him.

"Okay, cool. So what is the second project for?"

"The new fashion show. I get to make a dress for me and another suit for you. Actually, do you know the theme?"

"Yeah, it is 'Under The Stars'. My guess is that you forgot to ask and he didn't tell you," He says with a twinge of excitement.

"Yeah, you totally guessed it."

We sit in my room talking while I continue to design my new projects and begin to sew my prom one's. It isn't until midnight until he leaves to go to bed. I remain up for another hour before collapsing.

"Chloe is right. You aren't any good, Marinette. I mean look at this, you really believe that I would ever want something like this. I can't wear this," Everyone's voices echo repeatedly through my head.

"I knew you didn't have what it takes," Gabriel's voice says behind me last.

I wake up in panic, Nathalie is standing over me. She tells me that breakfast is on the table. I grab my fabrics and my notebook neatly placing them into a back. I wander downstairs.

"Marinette, are you okay?" Gabriel asks when I reach the dining hall. Even Adrien looks worried.

"Yeah, why?" I ask.

"You were yelling in your sleep, 'That's not true.' Please feel free to talk to Nathalie if anything is the matter," Gabriel finishes and leaves. Adrien watches him leave and then turns to me.

"I know your lying but I am not going to ask about it. Though, I am telling Alya," He says then continues to eat. Nathalie just watches me as I push my plate aside and take my notebook out and continue on the design sketches. I know Adrien isn't happy that I am skipping breakfast but I have to.

We head to school and, in the car, I start to sew another piece of one of the outfits. Though they continue to watch me work, they never once say another word. When we reach the school, I calmly fold everything up and place in neatly into my bag. Luckily, Adrien is a bit slower today.

"Hey girl, how is everything?" Alya asks and Nino says, "Dude, Adrien, you look super tired."

"I do not." Adrien says. Nino looks at me and Alya clears her throat. I mean I heard her loud and clear but I have not registered it.

"Marinette?" Concern starts filling her voice.

"Hmm." I answer slowly turning towards her.

"Okay, what is it?"

"Oh, right. Um, sorry to move this forwards but, um, another project recently came up. So can everyone either stop by today or tomorrow for measurements," I say swiftly moving up the stairs with the other trying to keep up.

"Yeah, I am sure we all can. But girl, if you don't slow down, we never be able to keep up."

"Dudette, you seem stressed and sleep deprived," Nino says. "Has the move really been this rough on you?"

"It isn't the move, but thanks for wondering," I say without slowing. As I sit down, I get the fabric out and begin to sew again.

"So, what is it?" Alya asks after sitting down.

"My father gave another project that is due literally the day after prom," Adrien states.

"Wait, what?" Alya exclaims, "Marinette, you can't do more. The max you have ever done at one time is ten. I am sure that Chloe added another prom dress onto you. This is to much. Look I can just by my dress somewhere else."

"No, Alya, don't. I've got this, I just have to make a few adjustments to my plans. I have yours started at the mansion, so please trust me," I am pretty much begging.

"Fine, whatever. Though if you get that dream, tell me," Alya says. I remain quiet. "Marinette, you already had it, haven't you?"